If you have ever doubted the existence of spiritual warfare, you only need to look in the Bible for proof. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
This is not only for Christians but for anyone who walks this earth. Many people are either unaware or do not believe such a battle exists. We, as Christians, fight it with the armor of God. See Ephesians 6:10-20. Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are easier targets, and they don’t even know it.
As the father of lies, the enemy disguises himself, such as when he approached Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as a serpent. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul warns the Corinthians that he appears as an angel of light. The truth of the gospel sets people free, and Satan (and his demons) will use whatever means possible to blind people from that truth. He energizes his own ministers (2 Corinthians 11:15) and controls people’s hearts and minds (Luke 22:3), just to name a few.
When I was a kid, there was a well-known comedian who coined the phrase, “The devil made me do it.” While he made light of the idea that Satan is behind every misdeed, he was only partially right. We allow the power of darkness to rule over our lives when we give in to the temptation to sin.
Many of Satan’s devices are depicted in Blossom Turner’s The Victory Series. I read and reviewed Book One, Mara: The Unseen Battle, a couple of months ago. Recently, I read Book Two, Mara in the Face of Battle. The first installment spanned sixteen years in the life of the main character, Mara Howland, and the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother.
Book Two continues Mara’s spiritual struggle through the first years of her marriage. This is not a book for those who enjoy light reading. As I stated before, spiritual battles are real, and Mara seems to be a victim of more than most, definitely more struggles than I’ve ever had to face. We get a close-up view of how the enemy will attack at every conceivable angle. As difficult as it is to read, it explains so much of what we see here on earth in the natural.
I believe that often those who are positioned to bring the most glory to God will be targeted by the enemy more than those who aren’t. Mara’s character and all she has endured to this point in the series put her in such a position. Her story is not very encouraging for Christians who have a desire to live for the glory of God. It seems no matter what she overcomes, she is given more.
Admittedly, I struggle with anything overly dark. My sister-in-law will tell us about a new television show she discovered, and will often add the caveat, “Jennifer won’t care for it.” She knows I cannot stomach anything with a lot of violence. The same is true for reading. I still remember being haunted by the ending of a Danielle Steele novel that I read over forty years ago.
The challenge Blossom Turner must have faced while delving into such a dark subject in The Victory Series paid off in the end. The book is well-written, informative, and creative. Very thought-provoking, but it’s also a hard read. I caution anyone who struggles as I do to take heed while reading this series. It’s not for the faint of heart. It is available on Amazon in paperback, ebook, and Kindle Unlimited.
Comments 2
I want to read this series, but should I? I too have problems with too much violence, but in truth, spiritual battles are all around us. Sometimes reading about the possibilities helps us to be ready when they happen to us.
Author
Reading it will definitely help to make the spiritual battle more real.